House of Commons Hansard #95 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was kingdom.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Spectrum Policy Framework for Canada Act First reading of Bill C-268. The bill requires updates to Canada’s spectrum policy framework to improve the accuracy of coverage data and prioritize the expansion of reliable cellular connectivity in rural areas and along numbered roads for public safety. 100 words.
Income Tax Act First reading of Bill C-269. The bill amends the Income Tax Act to introduce an investment tax credit for waste heat to power technology, aiming to improve energy efficiency in industrial processes and reduce emissions. 300 words.
Stand on Guard Act First reading of Bill C-270. The bill amends the Criminal Code to establish a legal presumption that force used by homeowners against intruders is reasonable, aiming to protect those defending themselves and their families from criminal prosecution. 200 words.
National Strategy for Children and Youth Act First reading of Bill S-212. The bill proposes a national strategy to improve coordination, accountability, and outcomes for children and youth across Canada by requiring federal collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders to develop measurable action plans. 200 words.
Putting of Questions The Speaker makes a statement to clarify procedure regarding Standing Order 45(1), establishing how the Chair will interpret the House's will when members are silent or conflicting instructions arise during votes on motions. 600 words.
Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act Members debate a motion from the Liberal government rejecting a Senate amendment to Bill C-4, which proposes changes to the Canada Elections Act. Liberals argue that Parliament should retain authority over election rules and highlight future privacy legislation. Elizabeth May (Green Party) criticizes the inclusion of election provisions in an "affordability" omnibus bill and advocates for accepting the Senate's amendment regarding data privacy. 1700 words, 15 minutes.
An Act to Implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Report stage of Bill C-13. The bill implements the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Proponents argue it enhances economic diversification and strengthens international partnerships. Conversely, some Conservative MPs criticize the lack of fair trade regarding agricultural non-tariff barriers and frozen pensions, while Bloc and NDP members express concerns about investor-state dispute provisions and parliamentary oversight. Despite these debates, the House concurs in the bill and passes it at third reading. 45900 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Criminal Code Second reading of Bill C-220. The bill amends the Criminal Code to prohibit judges from considering immigration consequences when sentencing non-citizens. Conservative members, such as Brad Redekopp, argue this prevents a two-tiered justice system, while Julie Dzerowicz of the Liberal Party contends that existing jurisprudence correctly allows sentencing to remain proportional. The Bloc Québécois, represented by Alexis Deschênes, favors committee study despite expressing significant reservations regarding judicial discretion. 7100 words, 40 minutes.
Privacy CommissionerRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It is my duty to lay upon the table, pursuant to subsection 40(1) of the Privacy Act, a report from the Privacy Commissioner entitled “Special Report to Parliament: Investigation into the contracting practices of the Canada Border Services Agency related to the development of the ArriveCAN application”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), this report is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to two petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between Canada and the European Union laying down the conditions for the participation of Canadian legal entities and products originating in Canada to procurement under the SAFE Instrument”, done at Munich on February 14.
Bill C-22 Lawful Access Act, 2026Routine Proceedings
Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Ontario
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-22, An Act respecting lawful access.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, or APF. The first report concerns its participation in the 40th session of the APF America Regional Assembly, held in Quebec City, Canada, from September 9 to 11, 2025. The second report concerns its participation in the eighth Leadership Workshop for Parliamentarians Women of the APF, held in Paris, France, from November 3 to 7, 2025.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in relation to Bill C-225, an act to amend the Criminal Code.
The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
A woman is killed by femicide every 48 hours in this country. The bill would go a long way to making the punishment fit the crime. We have aptly named it “Bailey's Law”, after the tragedy that happened to Bailey McCourt.
I thank all members of the committee and all members of each party for supporting the bill and seeing it move forward.
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, the mighty OGGO, entitled “Appointment of the Parliamentary Budget Officer”.
This report is important for two reasons. First of all, it is a recommendation from the committee that the government appoint Jason Jacques as the permanent Parliamentary Budget Officer for a term of seven years. This recommendation is important because Mr. Jacques's office was recently named by the OECD as the top Parliamentary Budget Office in the world. Additionally, Parliament is without a Parliamentary Budget Officer right now, which means there are no reports coming from the office on the estimates or any other process. This would increase transparency and accountability in this House.
Marianne Dandurand Liberal Compton—Stanstead, QC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑268, an act respecting the spectrum policy framework for Canada.
Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to improve cellular connectivity in rural areas and on numbered roads. For me, connecting rural areas is a matter of public safety, economic development and fairness, quite simply. Contrary to what some official maps might say, many areas in Canada still need to be connected.
My bill aims to accomplish three things: make coverage data more reliable, update the spectrum framework, and prioritize rural areas and numbered roads in developing cellphone service.
Cellular connectivity is not a luxury. It is about safety, economic development and fairness between regions. People outside major urban centres deserve reliable service too.
This bill will improve our tools to help us better understand the gaps and promote fairer network development across Canada. I sincerely hope that all parties will work together to move this file forward, as it is essential for our rural communities.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-269, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (heat recovery tax credit).
Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a bill today that would fill an oversight that the government has left open in its latest investment tax credits for clean energy production and also for emissions reduction. We have to take the two hand in hand.
Waste heat to power is the most important method we have to make sure we have emissions-free power coming forward. It is low-hanging fruit, quite frankly, and the fact that it has been missed by the government in its investment tax credits is a shame. I am here to correct that today by putting it on the page and making sure that we debate in the House of Commons how we can attain more efficiency in our energy production in Canada and reduce our emissions for that power that is already being produced.
With waste heat to power, an industrial process, we lose 30% to 50% of the heat in the process. Having an investment tax credit to capture that heat would capture about 30% of what is lost and effectively give more power to Canadians with no new emissions, which is the main thing here. It would be a strict win all the way along. The fact that it has not been included, at this point in time, in the government's approach to investment tax credits is purely because most of these industrial processes involve hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are a part of our present and a part of our future.
We need to debate this very clearly. I hope the government takes this on and makes it an even better bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-270, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (defence of person).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to introduce the stand on guard act, my very first bill in the House.
Our homes are supposed to be the one place where we can rest and feel safe, but across Canada, home invasions are rising, and too many families are living with fear inside their own homes.
We have all walked through the house at night checking the doors, listening for a creak in the hallway, but for too many Canadians, that fear becomes real when intruders break into their homes. When homeowners defend themselves and their families, they can end up being treated like criminals, taken away by police and forced into costly legal battles just to prove they acted in self-defence. That is not right.
The stand on guard act would strengthen Canada's self-defence laws. It would create a clear presumption that when someone knowingly and unlawfully enters a home, the force used based on what a person believes at that moment to be reasonably necessary to defend themselves and their family is considered reasonable, unless the facts show otherwise, because their home should be their safe place, not the place where the law turns against them for protecting the people they love.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Braedon Clark Liberal Sackville—Bedford—Preston, NS
moved that Bill S-212, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada, be read for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce in the House Bill S-212, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.
I would like to thank Senator Moodie for introducing this important legislation in the Senate and for her leadership in championing the well-being of children and youth across our country not just in the Senate but also during her career as a physician. Children and youth represent Canada's future, yet the policies and programs that support them are too often fragmented across jurisdictions and sectors alike.
Bill S-212 would require the federal government to work with provinces and territories, indigenous partners, experts, families and, critically, youth and children themselves to develop a national strategy that would bring greater coordination and accountability to these efforts. The bill would establish a framework for consultations, measurable goals, an action plan and regular reporting to Parliament to help improve outcomes for children and youth across Canada.
I look forward to working with colleagues from all parties to move this important legislation forward.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
moved that Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations, be read the first time.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, I rise for the ninth time on behalf of the people of Dauphin, Manitoba, to present a petition on the rising rate of crime. Residents of Dauphin and the Parkland region are demanding the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies, which have fuelled a surge in crime throughout their communities.
Since 2015, there has been a 54% increase in violent crime and a 75% increase in sexual assaults across Canada. Our once-safe communities have turned into places where people fear for their lives because the government's catch-and-release policies have allowed violent repeat offenders to be out on bail instead of in jail.
The people of Dauphin and the Parkland region demand that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies, which directly threaten their livelihoods and their communities. I fully support the good people of Dauphin.
Rob Morrison Conservative Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present petition e-6974.
I want to recognize my constituent TJ Hagarty from Fernie, British Columbia, for his dedication in bringing forward this important issue. Mr. Hagarty's family experienced a significant hardship when they were unable to transfer their son's medical care to Alberta rather than Vancouver due to limitations of the current system.
I am proud to present this petition, which has gathered more than 2,500 signatures from residents across my riding. Since elected in 2019, I have worked hard to support constituents within our health care system. It is my responsibility on their behalf to bring this to the attention of the House of Commons.
Petitioners call on the Government of Canada to work with the provinces to address the barriers in accessing care across provincial boundaries.
Blaine Calkins Conservative Ponoka—Didsbury, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today on behalf of the 157,057 Canadians who have signed the historic charter of health freedom petition, one of the largest paper petitions in Canadian history, initiated by the Natural Health Product Protection Association.
Parliament has a duty to respond to a petition of this magnitude, one driven by grassroots, everyday people who want rights that guarantee their freedom to make informed choices about their own health. These rights include the right of every person to sovereignty over their own body, the right to choose how to prevent illnesses or address illness and injury, the right to access treatment options without unnecessary government restrictions, the right to make their own health decisions without undue interference from the state, respect for the constitutional role of the provinces in health care and recognition of the sovereign right of first nations people to practise their traditional medicines.
The charter of health freedom calls for a new legislative framework recognizing natural health products and traditional medicines in their own category, rather than treating them as therapeutic drugs under the Food and Drugs Act.
Canadians deserve a system that protects safety while respecting their ability to care for their own health, and after over 157,000 voices have spoken, now is the time for action for the health freedom of Canadians.
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table two petitions in the House.
The first is from citizens who are concerned about the misuse of generative AI, which has led to a rise in disinformation due to deepfakes, or falsely generated videos or images of a person's likeness. AI tools have developed to a point where it is difficult for the most people to determine the authenticity of a video, audio or image source, and AI tools can be used maliciously.
These citizens call upon the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation to acknowledge the risks posed by deepfakes, strengthen the Canadian Copyright Act to include an individual's right to their own body and voice, and ensure enforcement mechanisms are in place at a federal level to support individuals' rights to their likeness.
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition highlights that, following the genocide in Gaza, Canada has not yet sanctioned any entities for their activities in Gaza and that, according to the United Nations, Israel's latest military campaign has damaged or destroyed 92% of housing units in the Gaza Strip.
These citizens call upon the government to investigate and sanction individuals and entities involved in serious violations of international law across the occupied Palestinian territory, including the systematic destruction of civilian property, and to impose sanctions upon key individuals and entities involved in the demolition of property and civilian objects in Gaza.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition brought by constituents from across Canada who are concerned about Bill C-9. They are concerned that this bill could be used to criminalize passages from the Bible, the Quran or the Torah. They call on the Government of Canada not to pass this bill. They want to ensure that the Government of Canada protects religious freedom, upholds the right to read and share sacred texts, and prevents government overreach in this matter.
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to present a petition on behalf of residents of Fairhaven, Meadowgreen, Parkridge and Confederation in Saskatoon, who are all concerned about the significant challenges they are facing because of crime, chaos and disorder in their neighbourhoods. They are concerned about the drug use and homelessness that have overrun their neighbourhoods, making public area schools and even private backyards unsafe. Of course, safe supply and harm reduction programs paid for by the federal government have prolonged and encouraged drug use instead of offering treatment.
The petitioners are asking for the government to bring back mandatory minimums for the trafficking, importing and production of illegal narcotics, which were removed in Bill C-5. They want to end the dangerous safe supply experiments that have lowered the cost and increased the supply of narcotics on the street and, most importantly, they want to invest in real treatment for drug users, such as rehabilitation beds, that encourage people to get off drugs.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise on behalf of constituents of Saanich—Gulf Islands on an issue that remains one that I know many members of this place would agree is a national crisis, and that is that we continue to see far too many deaths from opioids, by what are essentially fentanyl poisonings.
I want to particularly pay tribute to one of my constituents, Leslie McBain, who lost her son in that crisis and is one of the founders of an extraordinary group of bereaved parents called Moms Stop the Harm. The petitioners are asking the government to consider that it is ineffective to treat those suffering from drug abuse as criminals. They are people in need of medical assistance and mental health supports to help deal with addiction. In other words, incarceration and treating this as a criminal matter has been ineffective, and rehabilitation through treatment programs is urgently needed.
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition today on behalf of residents in my community on Liberal Bill C-9, in particular the Liberal and Bloc amendment to Bill C-9 passed at the justice committee that would remove long-standing protections for the good-faith expression of religious beliefs and the citing of religious texts. That amendment would subject people who read the Bible, the Torah or other religious texts to potential criminal prosecution.
Therefore, residents in my riding are calling on the government to do two things: one, withdraw Bill C-9; and, two, protect religious freedom, uphold the right to read and share sacred texts, and prevent government intrusion into matters of faith.
Religious FreedomPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
We must continue with Routine Proceedings, and we cannot do that if the hon. member is engaging with a member of the opposition. Order, please.
Religious FreedomPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
To the hon. member for London West, I have heard some unparliamentary terms, which I will let go at this particular time.